Collin Ng's Blog

This is taken from a source, http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2011/02/08/the-price-of-malaysias-racism/ and the writer, John Malott was the US Ambassador to Malaysia, 1995-1998. Quote Slower growth and a drain of talented citizens are only the beginning. By JOHN R. MALOTT The Wall Street Journal Feb 8, 2011 OPINION Malaysia’s national tourism agency promotes the country as “a bubbling, bustling melting pot of races and religions where Malays, Indians, Chinese and many other ethnic groups live together in peace and harmony.” Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak echoed this view when he announced his government’s theme, One Malaysia. “What makes Malaysia unique,” Mr. Najib said, “is the diversity of our peoples. One Malaysia’s goal is to preserve and enhance this unity in diversity, which has always been our strength and remains our best hope for the future.” If Mr. Najib is serious about achieving that goal, a long look in the mirror might be in order first. Despite the government’s n...

This article was written by a person, Pan Xing Cai which appeared in our Straits Times sometime late last year. It first appeared in Nanyang Siang Pau, a Malaysian Chinese newspaper too. By Pang Xing Cai As the year draws to a close, we look back on two major occurences that have taken place this year: After three decades of reform and opening up, China has outshone Japan, a country that is 4 per cent the size of the former, to become the second largest economy in the world - thus proving what many have forecast before. Singapore, "sacked" in 1965 by Malaysia, a country 520 times its size, is set to surpass the latter economically after 45 years of hard work, thus refuting the prediction that the 21st century belongs to continental-sized countries. Singapore's economic miracle is not only an insult but also a terrible blow to Malaysia. Despite being smaller in size than New York City, the only nation in South-east Asia devoid of natural resources, and with a populati...

It was my birthday on 12 Feb and 1 year short of half century mark, I am 49 exactly to that day. I've always remind myself, age is a just number and as long as I stay fit & healthy, I will run, I will chase as long as my lung capacity still permits me. No intention to organise any special event to celebrate my grand old age (sheepishly, I admit I have posted my date of birth on my FB profile which can be viewed by many of my friends), some pleasant arrangements by some friends running up to my birthday certainly have brightened my day. First, it was Tim Chua whom I get to know through his then girlfriend, Maxine and now his wife emailed me to 'chop' me for a birthday lunch on 10 Feb, Thursday. We had a good chat on some business matters at NUSS Guildhouse in Suntec as well as a good lunch. There was no cake though. The following day, Dora arranged to have lunch with me though she didn't say she was buying lunch for my birthday. She kept mum, so did I. We had a good ...

This article, titled " Conviction verus Consensus politicans" was written by one of Singapore's well known novelist, Catherine Lim following MM Lee's recent remarks asking Muslims here to exercise flexibilty or sorts on Islam teachings. This article appeared in S.T. on 12 Feb 2011. By Catherine Lim Conviction versus Consensus politicians PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s reassurance of the Muslim community, upset by what they perceived to be disparaging remarks of them made by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, was exactly as expected. It was calm, reassuring and generous in its praise of the community’s efforts in working with people of other races and religions to achieve an integrated and harmonious Singapore. There was nevertheless an almost surreal quality about the event, with a respectful, filial son having to dissociate his views from his father’s. Indeed, the surreality might have provoked some to speculate that the Prime Minister’s statement was part of a shre...

It is to be expected of Dr M and in his usual style & fashion, he has just launched his rebuttal to Hard Truths by MM Lee in attempt to 'right any wrong' made of him. We can choose to agree or disagree with either one but it is always interesting to watch both great men engaging in verbal sparring. Perhaps, I am biased because I am a Singaporean, my one vote goes to MM Lee and nothing to Dr M for now. The following is taken from Dr M's blog, titled 'Hard Truths'. Quote 1. A new book on Lee Kuan Yew has appeared with the title "Lee Kuan Yew - Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going." It is a collection of 16 interviews with Lee Kuan Yew by Singapore journalists. 2. What is the hard truth which will keep Singapore going? It is, according to Lee Kuan Yew the vulnerability of Singapore. Without saying so in so many words, Lee Kuan Yew believes that the island's neighbours would war against it if it has no military capacity to defend itself. The...

I was chatting with an 'ang moh' friend in a recent company's CNY dinner gathering and somehow somewhere along the line, we talked about the race issue. It was largely boring or disinterest to many of my colleagues at the table, judging from their nonchalant expressions and I found myself (a lone figure, perhaps for speaking too much) defending my position when this friend asked whether policies in Singapore, as a Chinese majority favour the Chinese over other minority races. For ease of argument, rather to score point for me, I have to cite Malaysia or aptly so, Dr Mahathir to put forth my case. Almost immediately, I was asked by this learned 'ang moh' friend who, by the way speaks fluent bahasa Melayu/Indon to define racism when I said many of Dr M's policies during his tenureship as PM of Malaysia were (still are) race based and he, Dr M is a racist , period. Without giving much thought (I should have) and off I shot and I said, something to that extent, ...